Girls Basketball Preview: Wilton looks for goals to be continued

Published 4:45 pm, Thursday, December 10, 2015

First-year Wilton head coach Rob Coloney, center, speaks to his team during the first week of practice.

Photo by Matthew Vinci

First-year Wilton head coach Rob Coloney, center, speaks to his team during the first week of practice.

Girls Basketball Preview: Wilton looks for goals to be continued

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WILTON -- This is not a new beginning for the Wilton High School girls basketball program.

After last year's state Class LL title run, and the graduation of four of the most prolific players in the school's girls basketball history, one might think the Warriors would be starting over this season.

There are six seniors who would like to disagree with the statement.

The contrary, this is their turn.

"I think opportunity is a really good word," said Rob Coloney, who after two years as Wilton's JV and assistant varsity coach, was hired to take over the program after Jaclyn Porco stepped down earlier this year. "I think these girls haven't had an opportunity to show, at the varsity level, what they can do."

Anybody that was part of last year's championship run will tell you that the team was far deeper than the five seniors who graduated.

"They were a very big part of the journey last year," Coloney said. "We just haven't seen them on the floor, getting that game experience. They're eager to get going."

After three straight semifinal appearances, including one trip to the title game, nobody expects Wilton to contend for a league title this season.

Any teams that look past the Warriors, though, are likely in for a surprise.

Wilton has one returning starter in senior guard Karen Brosko and senior forward Christina Holmgren was usually the first big off the bench for Wilton.

They are the most experienced Warriors when it comes to floor time.

"Those two are the most game ready," said Coloney. "They are the only shoo-in starters."

Brosko averaged 7.7 points and 4.7 rebounds per game last season for Wilton. This winter, she'll be adjusting from a small forward role to that of a true shooting guard -- which will get her more shots (she was third on the team in made 3-pointers last season).

"Karen is a great two-way player," said Coloney. "She didn't get enough credit last year, getting overshadowed by that senior class."

Holmgren came off the bench to average 5.2 points and 3.1 rebounds while blocking more than a shot per game. She lit up Masuk for a career high 24 points (on 12-for-16 shooting) and netted 16 points (on 8-for-12 shooting) against Fairfield Warde in last year's regular season finale.

After that, battles are on-going for starting spots, but Coloney knows he has the potential to be deep and reach down into his six-person bench.

"We know we have a lot of depth and talent and above all, it's a fantastic group of kids," said Coloney.

Taylor Ingerman and Caraline Higgins will join Brosko has tri-captains for the Warriors. Higgins saw action in 21 games last season while Ingerman found the court just eight times.

Both bring legitimate leadership qualities, though, which should help the transition from the loss of last year's prolific senior group.

Sarah Fitzgerald played in 21 games last season, getting better and better as the season went on. Hana Previte also brings a plethora of intangibles and athleticism to her spot on the floor as a forward.

"All these girls are incredibly athletic," said Coloney. "That'll benefit us and if we play quickly and try to replace size with speed, they'll have they're chances to play."

Juniors Caylin Cannavino and Meaghan Downey and sophomores Claire Gulbin, Emily Tuin and Caroline Sweeny will also be in the hunt for playing time.

The loss of last year's seniors, and the school's head coach, means opposing coaches will now have to throw away the game plan they've used against the Warriors for the better part of seven years.

"It'll be a completely new identity," said Coloney. "I'm not somebody who believes in teaching one system and forcing the girls to adapt. I'll teach the system that's best suited to allow success with the group we have."

Coloney -- who has coached most of the girls on his roster -- said they've welcomed his new system with open arms and are working hard to get ready for the season opener, on Friday, Dec. 18, with a road trip to New Milford.

He has two goals for the 2015-16 campaign.

"My hopes, No. 1, is they have fun. It sounds cliché, but it's true," said Coloney. "This group has earned the right to represent their town on the varsity basketball court. They've worked hard for the last three years and I want them to enjoy the ride.

"We want to be competitive," Coloney added. "I don't know if there is a number we'll put on that, but we have to be competitive. This is a group that's used to winning and we're going to go out, strategize, game plan and prepare as hard as we can for everything and we'll go out with the mindset that we'll win."

With that attitude, Wilton's latest senior class are hoping to surprise a lot of people this season by proving that it's not a new beginning, but a continuation of what came before.